"Doctor!"Zahra called after Asma, jumping to her feet anxiously.

Asma turned to face Zahra with a serious plus disgusted look on her face which proves she got to know about the pregnancy.

"Is Layla okay?"Zahra questioned with a worried face. She is really worried about Layla and the fact that none of her family members showed up made her pity Layla, it's very unfortunate.

"She is not conscious yet, but..." she made a dramatic pause, indirectly telling Zahra that something is wrong and whenever there are 'buts' it's never a good thing for sure. "We lost the baby, I'm sorry for that." she ended with an apology but her face shows a different thing.

Zahra gasped her breathing seizing, she placed her right palm against her chest to calm herself down.

She shook her head. "You couldn't do anything to save the baby?" she hiccuped. "It can't be true, Asma please tell me you're joking."

"We couldn't, and you should also know that I'm not the type that jokes around all the time especially when it comes to my work I'm very well dedicated to it." she turned to leave but quickly reversed her move as if she forgot to say something. "Well, I think you should be rejoicing about it tho, it's a good thing that she lost the baby because it's a shame. No one in this hospital knew she was pregnant she just stopped coming to work and then later on resigned. No need to pretend like the both of you care for the baby, instead of crying be happy about it." with that she left.

Zahra was utterly shocked and speechless. She couldn't even move she stood rooted to her spot her head pounding, she wanted to think straight and slowly process what Asma just said but she wasn't able to comprehend it.

She isn't happy that she lost the baby, she isn't that heartless maybe Layla would be happy but for real she isn't happy, she always wished good for the baby.

She buried her face between her palms and shook her head. "This is so messed up! And Layla is still not conscious..."

She felt a hand on her shoulder all of a sudden almost freaking her out. She quickly turned to look at the person only to see an aged woman standing before her, old but young looking. She took her time to scrutinize her and she was sure the lady doesn't look familiar this is the first time she is seeing her.

"You must be Zahra."The lady voiced with a small smile. Zahra responded with a nod, confused as to how the lady know her name. "I'm at the right place then, where is Layla?"

"Pardon? Do you know her?"Zahra questioned and the woman chuckled lightly.

"Yes I do, I guess she didn't tell you anything about me, must be nice."

"None of what you're saying makes sense, who are you? And why are you here? How-"

The lady cut in. "What's with the rush? We'll get to know each other soon, for now, let me meet Layla."

"I can't," she replied curtly.

"Is it because you don't know me? Well, I'm a relative, you'll get to know that from Layla herself if you let me meet her."

Zahra was not very much convinced and she didn't want the lady to meet Layla but what can she do? The lady said she is family it might be true. "She isn't conscious yet, the doctor said we can't see her now you can go and come back later preferably tomorrow morning."

"No, I've come so far I can't go back, I'll wait here."

Zahra had no other options but to let her be if she wants to stay then there was nothing wrong with that, she have many other things to worry about like the police stalking her all the time, they only let her go for today but they said they're coming back to take down Layla's statement only them would she be spared if not she is going to court on false charges.

Ya Ilahi!

•

The Next Day.....

Layla stretched, her whole ached but she was not worried or bothered at all. All she wants is to get the heck out of wherever she is and run as fast as she could to get out of anger.

She stirred, opened her eyes, and sat up. She looked around the not-so-familiar room and started feeling scared, she held her head tightly trying to remember exactly what happened and how she ended up in the hospital. She stared down at her right hand and saw a drip connected to it confusing her to the core in the process, she was about to remove it when Zahra and the other lady rushed in.

"Layla you're okay, Alhamdulillah."Zahra threw her arms around her, with a wide smile. She was so happy seeing Layla healthy.

"I guess, what happened to me?"Layla furrowed her brows at Zahra questionably.

Zahra was confused. "You don't remember anything?"

"Yeah, I don't. My head is blank."

Zahra sighed. "It's a long story, Layla, you attempted suicide, you slit your wrist with a knife."

Layla took in a sharp breath and said. "Not surprised, I hope I didn't get you into trouble?"

Oh, yes you did! She wanted to reply but kept quiet instead.

"I was tired of everything Zahra, no one loves me..." she hiccuped tears welling up in her eyes. "Even my own family..."

The other lady cut in, walking towards Layla. "Shush!" she shushed. "Don't say that Layla am, I'm here for you."

Layla felt the urge to roll her eyes at that, "where have you been all those years then? Huh? And please don't come in front of me and pretend like you love and care for me, you're all the same!"

"Your father didn't want me to come back and so I stayed back."Her reply was low.

"Why are you here then?"Layla gulped staring intensely at the lady.

"Because no one is here for you."

That made Layla chuckle. "And what makes you think no one is here for me?"

"Is obvious, my dear."

"You might think I'm lonely but my best friend is here with me, and that's enough for me." she held Zahra's hand tightly into hers with a weak smile.

"Layla I'm..."Zahra started but the lady cut in.

"Best friend you say?"the lady snorted, shaking her head. "What about your family? I took care of you for 10 years Layla have some appreciation."

Things are getting a little bit clearer!

"Took care of me you say?"Layla questioned with the same enthusiasm. "You tortured me for 10 years not took care of me, so stop lying for once in your life."

"I took care of you when your mother couldn't..."

That made Layla angry. "She couldn't take care of me because she had no other choice now please just shut it and get out."

"She had a choice! She always has a choice but she chose to ignore it!"The lady shouted.

"Get out!"She inhaled a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

"Mind your tongue, young lady you're in no place to talk to me like that," she warned pointing her index finger at Layla.

"Aunty Zubaida please leave, I'm going through a lot right now, don't add to my problems."Layla beseeched her voice very low.

"You're coming with me."She stated, curtly.

Layla arched her eyebrows, perplexed. "I'm not."

"You're coming with me Layla, I won't let you stay where you aren't loved." she turned to leave.

"And why do you care? I'm not going anywhere I'm staying here and that's final."

"We'll see then." with that the lady left.

They seem to know each other well Zahra thought shaking her head a little. "But Layla, who is she?"

"My Aunt and also my......" she paused taking in a sharp breath.

Heyyyyyyyy guysssss!!!! 🤭

After going missing for years I'm finally back!!! Yayy!!!

I'm so sorry guys I didn't mean to go Mia all of a sudden, this time around I've a good and reasonable explanation, I've been very busy doing nothing 😂🤌🏾 not lazying around I promise. I wasn't at fault, y'all shouldn't blame me blame my writing spirit instead, lol.

It went on a vacation without my permission, I tried my very best to look within myself but I couldn't find my writing spirit Wai Ashe vacation ya tafi 🤭😂 and now I've to apologize because of that.

And because I don drop update today doesn't mean I'm back gon gon! 😂 but we'll see sha and I really hope I'd be able to update more frequently so that we'll do and finish this book before January 😫 I didn't like what ABU did at all 😭after Asuu don finish showing us shege now is ABU 😭🤌🏾 it is well.

Sha enough of my banters!!! I really hope you've enjoyed the chapter!!!!! Thank you!!!!!

Byeeeee......

Ria ❤️